Brendan vows he’ll never let up on Hoops’ silver service
CELTIC Back to work at Lennoxtown today as Rodgers pledges to
BRENDAN Rodgers raised a glass of fizz to his Celtic players at Parkhead on Sunday night and toasted their hard-fought Betfred Cup victory over Aberdeen at Hampden earlier.
Yet, the festivities were short-lived – he will be back in at Lennoxtown first thing today to oversee training and formulate a game plan for the Ladbrokes Premiership match with Motherwell at Fir Park tomorrow evening.
The 1-0 win at Hampden at the weekend secured the seventh consecutive trophy success of Rodgers’ reign as manager. There will, however, be no let-up in his relentless pursuit of honours. Especially not with a third straight Treble now a distinct possibility.
The Northern Irishman knows that keeping players who have dominated Scottish football since he arrived in Glasgow two-and-a-half years ago motivated presents its owns unique challenges.
He believes that leading by example is vital in ensuring his charges remain hungry and focused on the next challenge.
“It is not easy,” said Rodgers. “You have to work at it. We are in an exciting period at the club.
“We all want to look back on it and say it is a really successful time. So we don’t stop.
“To do that we have to work. Thankfully, our focus every day, the work we put into preparing the team, helps the players see we are not having a lazy day as staff. That allows them to focus on performing well. They accept that.
“Now they have rhythm with winning and know what it takes to win. They went to Hampden on Sunday with a good feeling. They have the heart for it, but they also have the talent for it.”
Rodgers added: “You have to think of that emotional hook for players. Trying to find what drives each individual on. You have to set a standard in training. That is important.
“From the first day I came in, the environment dictates what you bring onto the field. You can’t get lazy.
“It is about mentality. It is creating an environment where they know they can’t have a lazy day. We will shape them, try to make them better, but they need to be ready to win.”
Scott Brown, the Celtic captain, won the 17th major honour of his time at Parkhead at the weekend while James Forrest, the Scotland winger, picked up his 14th medal.
Rodgers knows how important those stalwarts are to his side, but he also feels that introducing youngsters, the likes of Filip Benkovic, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard, has helped to maintain a high level of performance on a consistent basis.
The 45-year-old takes considerable pride in the fact that the average age of the side that started on Sunday was just 25 – one of the lowest in the Scottish top flight.
“I think having youth helps,” he said. “We are one of the three youngest teams in the Premiership. So when you have that hunger and will and desire in there and you can shape that it is exciting. You mix some experienced ones around about it and they are revitalised.
“They want to win. But, of course, we want to win in the best way that we can. It is great to see the likes of Ryan developing. Benkovic is 21 and he has a great feeling as well. The other players do as well.”
Brown, who has struggled with hamstring and knee injuries this season and only made his comeback as a substitute in the Europa League game against Rosenborg in Norway on Thursday evening, started the cup final on the bench